Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-Q

 


 

x   QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

       For the quarterly period ended March 29, 2003

 

OR

 

¨   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Commission file number 1-3344

 


 

Sara Lee Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

Maryland

 

36-2089049

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

Three First National Plaza, Suite 4600, Chicago, Illinois 60602-4260

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

 

(312) 726-2600

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 


 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

 

On March 29, 2003, the Registrant had 777,143,917 outstanding shares of common stock $.01 par value, which is the Registrant’s only class of common stock.

 

This document contains 61 pages

 



Table of Contents

 

SARA LEE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

INDEX

 

PART I—

    

ITEM 1—FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    

Preface

  

3

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets—
At March 29, 2003 and June 29, 2002

  

4

Consolidated Statements of Income—
For the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended March 29, 2003 and March 30, 2002

  

5

Consolidated Statements of Common Stockholders’ Equity—
For the period June 30, 2001 to March 29, 2003

  

6

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows—
For the thirty-nine weeks ended March 29, 2003 and March 30, 2002

  

7

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

  

8

ITEM 2—MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL  CONDITION

  

16

ITEM 4—CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

  

42

PART II—

    

ITEM 6—EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

  

43

SIGNATURE

  

44

EXHIBIT 10.1—Retirement Agreement dated as of February 13, 2002 among Sara Lee Corporation, Sara Lee/DE, N.V. and Frank L. Meysman

  

47

EXHIBIT 10.2—Amendment to Employment Agreement dated as of March 14, 2003 between Sara Lee Corporation and Barry H. Beracha

  

55

EXHIBIT 12.1—Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

  

58

EXHIBIT 12.2—Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividend Requirements

  

59

EXHIBIT 99.1—Certificate of Chief Executive Officer under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

  

60

EXHIBIT 99.2—Certificate of Chief Financial Officer under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

  

61

 

2


Table of Contents

 

PART I

 

SARA LEE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Preface

 

The consolidated financial statements for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended March 29, 2003 and March 30, 2002 and the balance sheet as of March 29, 2003 included herein have not been audited by independent public accountants, but in the opinion of Sara Lee Corporation (“the Corporation”), all adjustments (which include only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the financial position at March 29, 2003 and the results of operations and the cash flows for the periods presented herein have been made. The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of June 29, 2002 and the consolidated statements of common stockholders’ equity for the period June 30, 2001 to June 29, 2002 have been derived from the Corporation’s audited financial statements included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 29, 2002. The results of operations for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended March 29, 2003 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results to be expected for the full fiscal year.

 

The consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Although the Corporation believes the disclosures made are adequate to make the information presented not misleading, certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such regulations. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Corporation’s Form 10-K for the year ended June 29, 2002 and other financial information filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

3


Table of Contents

 

SARA LEE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 29, 2003 and June 29, 2002

(In millions)

 

    

(Unaudited)
March 29, 2003


    

June 29,

2002


 
     

ASSETS

                 

Cash and equivalents

  

$

257

 

  

$

298

 

Trade accounts receivable, less allowances

  

 

1,806

 

  

 

1,831

 

Inventories:

                 

Finished goods

  

 

1,757

 

  

 

1,619

 

Work in process

  

 

378

 

  

 

411

 

Materials and supplies

  

 

505

 

  

 

479

 

    


  


    

 

2,640

 

  

 

2,509

 

Other current assets

  

 

327

 

  

 

341

 

Assets held for sale

  

 

—  

 

  

 

7

 

    


  


Total current assets

  

 

5,030

 

  

 

4,986

 

Other non-current assets

  

 

242

 

  

 

192

 

Property, net

  

 

3,230

 

  

 

3,155

 

Trademarks and other identifiable intangibles, net

  

 

2,092

 

  

 

2,106

 

Goodwill

  

 

3,340

 

  

 

3,314

 

    


  


    

$

13,934

 

  

$

13,753

 

    


  


LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

                 

Notes payable

  

$

471

 

  

$

468

 

Accounts payable

  

 

1,142

 

  

 

1,321

 

Accrued liabilities

  

 

2,851

 

  

 

2,953

 

Current maturities of long-term debt

  

 

1,136

 

  

 

721

 

    


  


Total current liabilities

  

 

5,600

 

  

 

5,463

 

Long-term debt

  

 

3,999

 

  

 

4,326

 

Deferred income taxes

  

 

530

 

  

 

534

 

Other non-current liabilities

  

 

1,129

 

  

 

1,038

 

Minority interests in subsidiaries

  

 

379

 

  

 

632

 

ESOP convertible preferred stock

  

 

221

 

  

 

226

 

Unearned deferred compensation

  

 

(205

)

  

 

(208

)

Common stockholders’ equity

  

 

2,281

 

  

 

1,742

 

    


  


    

$

13,934

 

  

$

13,753

 

    


  


 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

4


Table of Contents

 

SARA LEE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Income

For the Thirteen and Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended March 29, 2003 and March 30, 2002

(In millions, except per share data)

Unaudited

 

      

Thirteen Weeks Ended


      

Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended


 
      

March 29, 2003


      

March 30, 2002


      

March 29, 2003


      

March 30, 2002


 

Net sales

    

$

4,350

 

    

$

4,200

 

    

$

13,660

 

    

$

13,133

 

      


    


    


    


Cost of sales

    

 

2,604

 

    

 

2,576

 

    

 

8,230

 

    

 

8,184

 

Cost of sales—product line exit costs

    

 

—  

 

    

 

(3

)

    

 

—  

 

    

 

(7

)

Selling, general and administrative expenses

    

 

1,370

 

    

 

1,271

 

    

 

4,170

 

    

 

3,849

 

(Income from) charges for exit activities and business dispositions

    

 

(1

)

    

 

(2

)

    

 

(13

)

    

 

190

 

Interest expense

    

 

70

 

    

 

70

 

    

 

205

 

    

 

224

 

Interest income

    

 

(21

)

    

 

(19

)

    

 

(58

)

    

 

(62

)

      


    


    


    


      

 

4,022

 

    

 

3,893

 

    

 

12,534

 

    

 

12,378

 

      


    


    


    


Income before income taxes

    

 

328

 

    

 

307

 

    

 

1,126

 

    

 

755

 

Income taxes

    

 

59

 

    

 

50

 

    

 

201

 

    

 

96

 

      


    


    


    


Net income

    

 

269

 

    

 

257

 

    

 

925

 

    

 

659

 

Preferred stock dividends, net of tax

    

 

3

 

    

 

3

 

    

 

8

 

    

 

8

 

      


    


    


    


Income available for common stockholders

    

$

266

 

    

$

254

 

    

$

917

 

    

$

651

 

      


    


    


    


Net income per common share

                                           

Basic

    

$

0.34

 

    

$

0.32

 

    

$

1.17

 

    

$

0.83

 

      


    


    


    


Diluted

    

$

0.33

 

    

$

0.31

 

    

$

1.13

 

    

$

0.80

 

      


    


    


    


Average shares outstanding

                                           

Basic

    

 

781

 

    

 

786

 

    

 

782

 

    

 

784

 

      


    


    


    


Diluted

    

 

813

 

    

 

819

 

    

 

814

 

    

 

818

 

      


    


    


    


Cash dividends per common share

    

$

0.155

 

    

$

0.150

 

    

$

0.460

 

    

$

0.445

 

      


    


    


    


 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

5


Table of Contents

 

SARA LEE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Common Stockholders’ Equity

For the Period June 30, 2001 to March 29, 2003

(In millions, except per share data)

 

    

TOTAL


    

COMMON STOCK


  

CAPITAL SURPLUS


    

RETAINED EARNINGS


      

UNEARNED STOCK


      

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(LOSS)


      

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME


 

Balances at June 30, 2001

  

$

1,122

 

  

$

8

  

$

—  

 

  

$

2,635

 

    

$

 —  

 

    

$

(1,521

)

          

Net income

  

 

659

 

  

 

—  

  

 

—  

 

  

 

659

 

    

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

 

    

$

659

 

Translation adjustments, net of tax

  

 

6

 

  

 

—  

  

 

—  

 

  

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

 

    

 

6

 

    

 

6

 

Net unrealized gain on qualifying cash flow hedges

  

 

(5

)

  

 

—  

  

 

—  

 

  

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

 

    

 

(5

)

    

 

(5

)

                                                              


Comprehensive income

                                                            

$

660

 

                                                              


Cash dividends—  

                                                                  

Common ($0.445 per share)

  

 

(349

)

  

 

—  

  

 

—  

 

  

 

(349

)

    

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

 

          

ESOP convertible preferred ($4.08 per share)

  

 

(13

)

  

 

—  

  

 

—  

 

  

 

(13

)

    

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

 

          

Stock issuances (cancelations)—  

                                                                  

Stock option and benefit plans

  

 

75

 

  

 

—  

  

 

75

 

  

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

 

          

Business acquisitions

  

 

(1

)

  

 

—  

  

 

(1

)

  

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

 

          

Restricted stock

  

 

5

 

  

 

—  

  

 

5

 

  

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

 

          

Tax benefit related to stock-based compensation

  

 

5

 

  

 

—  

  

 

5

 

  

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

 

          

Reacquired shares—repurchases

  

 

(85

)

  

 

—  

  

 

(85

)

  

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

 

          

Acquisition of Earthgrains’ ESOP

  

 

—  

 

  

 

—  

  

 

30

 

  

 

—  

 

    

 

(30

)

    

 

—  

 

          

Earthgrains stock option conversion

  

 

26

 

  

 

—  

  

 

26

 

  

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

 

          

ESOP tax benefit, redemptions and other

  

 

21

 

  

 

—  

  

 

11

 

  

 

5

 

    

 

5

 

    

 

—  

 

          
    


  

  


  


    


    


          

Balances at March 30, 2002

  

 

1,466

 

  

 

8

  

 

66

 

  

 

2,937

 

    

 

(25

)

    

 

(1,520

)

          

Net income

  

 

351

 

  

 

—  

  

 

—  

 

  

 

351

 

    

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

 

    

$

351

 

Translation adjustments, net of tax

  

 

110

 

  

 

—  

  

 

—  

 

  

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

 

    

 

110

 

    

 

110

 

Minimum pension liability, net of tax

  

 

(56

)

  

 

—  

  

 

—  

 

  

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

 

    

 

(56

)

    

 

(56

)

Net unrealized loss on qualifying cash flow hedges, net of tax

  

 

(4

)

  

 

—  

  

 

—  

 

  

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

 

    

 

(4

)

    

 

(4

)

                                                              


Comprehensive income

                                                            

$

401

 

                                                              


Cash dividends—  

                                                                  

Common ($0.15 per share)

  

 

(118

)

  

 

—  

  

 

—  

 

  

 

(118

)

    

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

 

          

ESOP convertible preferred ($1.36 per share)

  

 

(4

)

  

 

—  

  

 

—  

 

  

 

(4

)

    

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

 

          

Stock issuances (cancelations)—  

                                                                  

Stock option and benefit plans

  

 

34

 

  

 

—  

  

 

34

 

  

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

 

          

Business acquisitions

  

 

1

 

  

 

—  

  

 

1

 

  

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

 

          

Restricted stock

  

 

—  

 

  

 

—  

  

 

—  

 

  

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

 

          

Tax benefit related to stock-based compensation

  

 

8

 

  

 

—  

  

 

8

 

  

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

 

          

Reacquired shares—repurchases

  

 

(53

)

  

 

—  

  

 

(53

)

  

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

 

          

ESOP tax benefit, redemptions and other

  

 

7

 

  

 

—  

  

 

3

 

  

 

2

 

    

 

2

 

    

 

—  

 

          
    


  

  


  


    


    


          

Balances at June 29, 2002

  

 

1,742

 

  

 

8

  

 

59

 

  

 

3,168

 

    

 

(23

)

    

 

(1,470

)

          

Net income

  

 

925

 

  

 

—  

  

 

—  

 

  

 

925

 

    

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

 

    

$

925

 

Translation adjustments, net of tax

  

 

132

 

  

 

—  

  

 

—  

 

  

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

 

    

 

132

 

    

 

132

 

Net unrealized gain on qualifying cash flow hedges, net of tax

  

 

13

 

  

 

—  

  

 

—  

 

  

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

 

    

 

13

 

    

 

13

 

                                                              


Comprehensive income

                                                            

$

1,070

 

                                                              


Cash dividends—  

                                                                  

Common ($0.46 per share)

  

 

(359

)

  

 

—  

  

 

—  

 

  

 

(359

)

    

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

 

          

ESOP convertible preferred ($4.08 per share)

  

 

(12

)

  

 

—  

  

 

—  

 

  

 

(12

)

    

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

 

          

Stock issuances (cancelations)—  

                                                                  

Stock option and benefit plans

  

 

86

 

  

 

—  

  

 

86

 

  

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

 

          

Restricted stock

  

 

13

 

  

 

—  

  

 

13

 

  

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

 

          

Tax benefit related to stock-based compensation

  

 

6

 

  

 

—  

  

 

6

 

  

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

 

          

Reacquired shares—repurchases

  

 

(283

)

  

 

—  

  

 

(172

)

  

 

(111

)

    

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

 

          

ESOP tax benefit, redemptions and other

  

 

18

 

  

 

—  

  

 

8

 

  

 

3

 

    

 

7

 

    

 

—  

 

          
    


  

  


  


    


    


          

Balances at March 29, 2002

  

$

2,281

 

  

$

8

  

$

—  

 

  

$

3,614

 

    

$

(16

)

    

$

(1,325

)

          
    


  

  


  


    


    


          

 

Interim period balances are unaudited.

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

6


Table of Contents

 

SARA LEE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

For the Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended March 29, 2003 and March 30, 2002

(In millions)

Unaudited

 

    

Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended


 
    

March 29,

2003


    

March 30,

2002


 
     

OPERATING ACTIVITIES—  

                 

Net income

  

$

925

 

  

$

659

 

Adjustments for non-cash charges included in net income:

                 

Depreciation

  

 

384

 

  

 

350

 

Amortization of intangibles

  

 

96

 

  

 

73

 

Increase (decrease) in deferred income taxes

  

 

74

 

  

 

(28

)

Other

  

 

53

 

  

 

10

 

(Income) charges for exit activities and business dispositions

  

 

(12

)

  

 

111

 

Changes in current assets and liabilities, excluding businesses acquired and sold

  

 

(257

)

  

 

(245

)

    


  


Net cash from operating activities

  

 

1,263

 

  

 

930

 

    


  


INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES—

                 

Purchases of property and equipment

  

 

(476

)

  

 

(394

)

Acquisitions of businesses and investments

  

 

(10

)

  

 

(1,922

)

Dispositions of businesses and investments

  

 

—  

 

  

 

23

 

Sales of assets

  

 

53

 

  

 

85

 

Other

  

 

(2

)

  

 

(26

)

    


  


Net cash used in investment activities

  

 

(435

)

  

 

(2,234

)

    


  


FINANCING ACTIVITIES—

                 

Issuances of common stock

  

 

86

 

  

 

75

 

Purchases of common stock

  

 

(283

)

  

 

(85

)

Redemption of preferred stock

  

 

(250

)

  

 

—  

 

Borrowings of long-term debt

  

 

751

 

  

 

1,355

 

Repayments of long-term debt

  

 

(810

)

  

 

(476

)

Short-term (repayments) borrowings, net

  

 

1

 

  

 

908

 

Payments of dividends

  

 

(372

)

  

 

(362

)

    


  


Net cash (used in) from financing activities

  

 

(877

)

  

 

1,415

 

    


  


Effect of changes in foreign exchange rates on cash

  

 

8

 

  

 

2

 

    


  


(Decrease) increase in cash and equivalents

  

 

(41

)

  

 

113

 

Cash and equivalents at beginning of year

  

 

298

 

  

 

548

 

    


  


Cash and equivalents at end of quarter

  

$

257

 

  

$

661

 

    


  


COMPONENTS OF CHANGES IN CURRENT ASSETS AND LIABILITIES:

                 

Decrease in trade accounts receivable

  

$

113

 

  

$

2

 

(Increase) decrease in inventories

  

 

(45

)

  

 

221

 

Decrease in other current assets

  

 

37

 

  

 

31

 

(Decrease) in accounts payable

  

 

(232

)

  

 

(493

)

(Decrease) in accrued liabilities

  

 

(130

)

  

 

(6

)

    


  


Changes in current assets and liabilities

  

$

(257

)

  

$

(245

)

    


  


 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

7


Table of Contents

 

SARA LEE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

1. Net Income Per Share

 

Net income per share—basic is computed by dividing income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Net income per share—diluted reflects the potential dilution that could occur if options or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock. For both the thirteen and thirty-nine week periods ended March 29, 2003, options to purchase 54.0 million shares of the Corporation’s common stock had exercise prices which were greater than the average market price of those shares during the respective reporting periods. For both the thirteen and thirty-nine week periods ended March 30, 2002, options to purchase 42.7 million shares of the Corporation’s common stock had exercise prices which were greater than the average market price of those shares during the respective reporting periods.

 

The following is a reconciliation of net income to net income per share—basic and diluted for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended March 29, 2003 and March 30, 2002:

 

Computation of Net Income per Common Share

(In millions, except per share data)

 

    

Thirteen Weeks Ended


    

Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended


 
    

March 29,
2003


    

March 30,
2002


    

March 29,
2003


    

March 30,
2002


 

Net income

  

$

269

 

  

$

257

 

  

$

925

 

  

$

659

 

Less dividends on preferred stock, net of tax benefit

  

 

(3

)

  

 

(3

)

  

 

(8

)

  

 

(8

)

    


  


  


  


Income available to common stockholders—basic

  

 

266

 

  

 

254

 

  

 

917

 

  

 

651

 

Adjustment for assumed conversion of ESOP shares

  

 

3

 

  

 

3

 

  

 

7

 

  

 

7

 

    


  


  


  


Income available to common stockholders—diluted

  

$

269

 

  

$

257

 

  

$

924

 

  

$

658

 

    


  


  


  


Average shares outstanding—basic

  

 

781

 

  

 

786

 

  

 

782

 

  

 

784

 

Dilutive effect of stock option and award plans

  

 

8

 

  

 

8

 

  

 

8

 

  

 

9

 

Dilutive effect of ESOP plan

  

 

24

 

  

 

25

 

  

 

24

 

  

 

25

 

    


  


  


  


Average shares outstanding—diluted

  

 

813

 

  

 

819

 

  

 

814

 

  

 

818

 

    


  


  


  


Net Income Per Common Share—Basic

  

$

0.34

 

  

$

0.32

 

  

$

1.17

 

  

$

0.83

 

    


  


  


  


Net Income Per Common Share—Diluted

  

$

0.33

 

  

$

0.31

 

  

$

1.13

 

  

$

0.80

 

    


  


  


  


 

2. Stock-Based Compensation

 

In December 2002, the FASB issued Statement No. 148 that permits additional transition methods for entities that adopt the fair-value based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation. For those companies that do not elect to change their method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation, Statement No. 148 requires increased disclosure of the pro forma impact of applying the fair value method to the reported operating results. The increased disclosure requirements apply to company’s interim and annual financial statements beginning this quarter and are presented below. At the present time, the Corporation does not intend to transition to the use of a fair-value method of accounting for stock-based compensation.

 

Employee stock options are accounted for under the provisions of Accounting Principles Board (APB) No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees”. APB No. 25 requires the use of the intrinsic value method, which measures compensation cost as the excess, if any, of the quoted market price of the stock at grant over the amount an employee must pay to acquire the stock. The Corporation provides below the pro-forma disclosures of net earnings and earnings per share as if the fair-value based method of accounting had been applied as required by SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation”. The pro forma impact of utilizing the fair value method to account for stock-based employee compensation, on an annual basis, is presented in the Corporation’s annual report to shareholders.

 

    

Thirteen Weeks Ended


    

Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended


 
    

March 29,
2003


    

March 30,
2002


    

March 29,
2003


    

March 30,
2002


 
    

(In millions)

 

Reported net income

  

$

269

 

  

$

257

 

  

$

925

 

  

$

659

 

Plus—Stock-based employee compensation included in reported net income, net of related tax effects

  

 

7

 

  

 

6

 

  

 

17

 

  

 

18

 

Less—Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under the fair-value method for all awards, net of related tax effects

  

 

(15

)

  

 

(20

)

  

 

(42

)

  

 

(60

)

    


  


  


  


Pro forma net income

  

$

261

 

  

$

243

 

  

$

900

 

  

$

617

 

    


  


  


  


Earnings per share:

                                   

Basic—as reported

  

$

0.34

 

  

$

0.32

 

  

$

1.17

 

  

$

0.83

 

    


  


  


  


Basic—pro forma

  

$

0.33

 

  

$

0.31

 

  

$

1.14

 

  

$

0.78

 

    


  


  


  


Diluted—as reported

  

$

0.33

 

  

$

0.31

 

  

$

1.13

 

  

$

0.80

 

    


  


  


  


Diluted—pro forma

  

$

0.32

 

  

$

0.30

 

  

$

1.11

 

  

$

0.76

 

    


  


  


  


 

8


Table of Contents

 

3. Exit Activities and Business Dispositions

 

The reported results for the quarter and for the first nine months of fiscal 2003 reflect amounts recognized from various programs involving the exit of defined business activities and the disposition of certain businesses. The first of these programs is referred to as business reshaping and the second as bakery restructuring. The net pretax amounts recognized as a result of these programs in the income statement captions labeled “(Income from) charges for exit activities and business dispositions” and “Cost of sales—product line exit costs” are summarized as follows:

 

    

Thirteen Weeks Ended


    

Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended


 
    

March 29,
2003


    

March 30,
2002


    

March 29,
2003


    

March 30,
2002


 
    

(in millions)

 

Business reshaping:

                                   

Exit activities

  

$

—  

 

  

$

(5

)

  

$

(30

)

  

$

177

 

Business dispositions

  

 

(1

)

  

 

—  

 

  

 

(5

)

  

 

6

 

Bakery restructuring

  

 

—  

 

  

 

—  

 

  

 

22

 

  

 

—  

 

    


  


  


  


Total

  

$

(1

)

  

$

(5

)

  

$

(13

)

  

$

183

 

    


  


  


  


Amount recognized on “Cost of sales—product line exit costs”

  

$

—  

 

  

$

(3

)

  

$

—  

 

  

$

(7

)

Amount recognized on “(Income from) charges for exit activities and business dispositions”

  

 

(1

)

  

 

(2

)

  

 

(13

)

  

 

190

 

    


  


  


  


Total

  

$

(1

)

  

$

(5

)

  

$

(13

)

  

$

183

 

    


  


  


  


 

A more complete description of the actions taken under both of these programs is presented in the following section of this note:

 

Reshaping Program

 

In May 2000, a program to reshape the business activities of the Corporation was announced. In connection with this program, the Corporation’s management approved a series of actions to exit certain defined business activities and dispose of a number of businesses. Each of these actions was to be completed within a 12-month period. Management approved these plans beginning in the second quarter of fiscal 2001, with the final series of actions approved during the second quarter of fiscal 2002. The actions approved in the reshaping program have essentially been completed. A discussion of the adjustments made during the third quarter of fiscal 2003 to the costs previously accrued for these plans, and the actions taken since the initiation of the Reshaping program, is as follows:

 

Fiscal 2003—Recognition of Exit Activities and Business Dispositions—

 

During the third quarter of fiscal 2003, adjustments were made to previously accrued costs for certain exit activities and business dispositions. The net adjustment recognized in the quarter increased pretax income and net income by $1 million. There was no measurable effect on diluted earnings per share. The total pretax adjustment is reflected on the “(Income from) charges for exit activities and business dispositions” line of the Consolidated Statement of Income and includes a $2 million credit for employee termination benefits, a $1 million charge for the disposal of property and equipment and a $1 million charge for moving expenses related to employees affected by the Reshaping program. These adjustments resulted from settling obligations associated with the exit activities completed under the Reshaping program. Also included in the net adjustment is a $1 million credit associated with the disposition of a business, which resulted from the receipt of certain

 

9


Table of Contents

contingent sales proceeds. The effect of these adjustments has been recognized in the tables included within this note.

 

Including the effects of the third quarter, the cumulative adjustments made for the Reshaping program thus far during fiscal 2003 increased pretax income, net income and diluted earnings per share by $35 million, $26 million and $.03, respectively. The total pretax adjustment is reflected on the “(Income from) charges for exit activities and business dispositions” line of the Consolidated Statement of Income and consists of a $18 million credit for employee termination benefits, a $9 million credit for losses on the disposal of property and equipment, a $4 million credit for non-cancelable lease and other third party obligations, a $1 million charge for moving expenses and a $5 million credit on the loss previously recognized on the disposition of certain businesses. These adjustments increased the operating companies income of the Corporation’s business segments as follows: Intimates and Underwear—$24 million; Sara Lee Meats—$7 million; and Sara Lee Bakery—$4 million.

 

Status of Exit Plans and Business Dispositions—

 

Combining the amounts recognized in fiscal 2001, fiscal 2002 and the first three quarters of fiscal 2003, the Corporation’s ongoing Reshaping program has reduced pretax earnings and net income by $689 million and $575 million, respectively. Of the $689 million pretax charge, $3 million is for actions taken at the Corporate headquarters and $686 million is related to the following business segments: Intimates and Underwear—$467 million; Sara Lee Bakery—$105 million; Sara Lee Meats—$96 million; Beverage—$15 million; and Household Products—$3 million. The components of the $689 million pretax charge are as follows:

 

Business Dispositions

 

    $341 million of the charge represents the cost recognized in connection with the disposition of 18 businesses. As of March 29, 2003, the disposition of 17 of these businesses had been completed. The final business to be disposed is a small bakery operation in China that has been closed. The Corporation is currently in discussions to sell the company to its joint venture partner and expects to complete this transaction before the end of fiscal 2003. The carrying value of the net assets of this business is less than $1 million.

 

Exit of Defined Business Activities

 

    $204 million of the cumulative charge is for the cost of severance and other employee benefits associated with the termination of 18,579 employees. The specific location of these employees is summarized in a table contained on page 12. All of these employees have been terminated and the remaining accrued liability is for severance benefits to be paid in future periods.

 

    $54 million of the cumulative charge is for losses realized on the disposal of real estate and equipment at 17 owned facilities and the disposal of equipment at a number of leased facilities. The loss is primarily related to the exit of Intimates and Underwear manufacturing facilities in the United States, Mexico and Europe and 3 domestic meat processing plants. All of the owned facilities have been sold.

 

   

$61 million of the cumulative charge is related to certain contractual obligations that must be satisfied in connection with the exit activities approved by management. Of this amount, $52 million relates to non-cancelable lease payments on 35 leased facilities that have been exited. Of the $52 million charge, $39 million remains to be paid as of March 29, 2003, and represents the difference between the remaining non-cancelable lease obligation and the anticipated sublease income. Certain other contractual obligations account for the

 

10


Table of Contents

remaining $9 million of the charge. These contractual obligations include amounts to terminate distribution and product licensing arrangements. Of the $9 million charge, $2 million remains to be paid as of March 29, 2003.

 

    $19 million of the cumulative charge resulted from the decision to terminate product licensing agreements and exit related manufacturing operations. The $19 million charge was recorded in the “Cost of sales—product line exit costs” line in the Consolidated Statement of Income and consisted of a $26 million charge in fiscal 2001 and a $7 million credit in fiscal 2002 from better than expected results on the disposition of inventory related to these licensing agreements. All of the inventory has been disposed. The loss recognized is the difference between the value of the inventory realized, based on the actual proceeds received, and the related carrying value.

 

    $10 million of the cumulative charge relates to moving and other related expenses for employees affected by the Reshaping program. The Corporation recognized these expenses in the period the related service was rendered by third-party suppliers. Cash was expended to pay vendors in essentially the same period as the expense was recognized.

 

The following table summarizes the charges taken for the approved exit of business activities under the Reshaping program and the related status as of March 29, 2003:

 

    

Exit Costs (Benefits) Recognized During


    

Writedown of
Assets to Net
Realizable Value


    

Cash
Payments


      

Accrued Exit Costs as of March 29, 2003


    

2003


    

2002


    

2001


            
    

(In millions)

Employee termination and other benefits

  

$

(18

)

  

$

100

 

  

$

122

    

$

—  

 

  

$

(176

)

    

$

28

Expected losses on disposals of property and equipment and other related costs

  

 

(9

)

  

 

26

 

  

 

37

    

 

(54

)

  

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

Other exit costs—includes non-cancelable lease and other contractual obligations

  

 

(4

)

  

 

40

 

  

 

25

    

 

—  

 

  

 

(20

)

    

 

41

Expected losses on disposal of inventories

  

 

—  

 

  

 

(7

)

  

 

26

    

 

(19

)

  

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

Moving and other related costs

  

 

1

 

  

 

6

 

  

 

3

    

 

—  

 

  

 

(10

)

    

 

—  

    


  


  

    


  


    

Total exit costs

  

$

(30

)

  

$

165

 

  

$

213

    

$

(73

)

  

$

(206

)

    

$

69

    


  


  

    


  


    

 

Of the $348 million cumulative charge, $275 million requires the use of cash and $73 million is a non-cash charge. Of the $275 million of cash costs, $206 million has previously been expended and $69 million of cash expenditures are to be made in the future. The Corporation expects to fund these future cash costs from internal sources.

 

11


Table of Contents

 

The following table summarizes the employee terminations by location and business segment. All terminations were completed by the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2003.

 

    

Sara Lee
Meats


  

Sara Lee
Bakery Group


  

Beverage


    

Household
Products


  

Intimates
and
Underwear


    

Corporate


  

Total


United States

  

846

  

268

  

—  

    

—  

  

1,746

    

20

  

2,880

Canada

  

—  

  

—  

  

—  

    

—  

  

84

    

—  

  

84

Puerto Rico, Mexico and Latin America

  

48

  

—  

  

—  

    

—  

  

11,548

    

—  

  

11,596

Europe

  

84

  

210

  

90

    

—  

  

2,490

    

—  

  

2,874

Asia and Africa

  

—  

  

381

  

—  

    

48

  

716

    

—  

  

1,145

    
  
  
    
  
    
  
    

978

  

859

  

90

    

48

  

16,584

    

20

  

18,579

    
  
  
    
  
    
  

 

Bakery Actions

 

During the second quarter of fiscal 2003, the Corporation’s management approved a plan to reduce the cost structure of its Bakery business. This plan includes actions to sever 311 employees from the U.S. bakery business, exit leases and dispose of certain assets. The charge for these planned actions decreased pretax income, net income and diluted earnings per share for the year by $22 million, $14 million and $.02, respectively. The pretax charge of $22 million is reflected on the “(Income from) charges for exit activities and business dispositions” line of the Consolidated Statements of Income and consists of a $13 million charge for employee termination benefits, a $5 million charge for the exit of non-cancelable lease obligations, and a $4 million charge for expected losses on the disposal of leasehold improvements and equipment.

 

As of March 29, 2003, 258 of the employees targeted for termination had been severed, all other affected employees have been notified and the equipment targeted for disposal had been idled. All other actions associated with the charge are to be completed within a 12-month period. The net book value of the assets held for sale is less than $1 million.

 

The following table summarizes the charges taken for the approved exit activities and the related status as of March 29, 2003:

 

      

Exit Costs
Recognized


    

Writedown of
Assets to Net
Realizable Value


    

Cash
Payments


    

Accrued
Exit Costs as of
March 29, 2003


      

(In millions)

Employee termination and other benefits

    

$

13

    

$

—  

 

  

$

(4

)

  

$

9

Non-cancelable lease obligations

    

 

5

    

 

—  

 

  

 

—  

 

  

 

5

Expected losses on disposals of property and equipment

    

 

4

    

 

(4

)

  

 

—  

 

  

 

—  

      

    


  


  

Total exit costs

    

$

22

    

$

(4

)

  

$

(4

)

  

$

14

      

    


  


  

 

Of the $22 million charge, $18 million requires the use of cash and $4 million is a non-cash charge. Of the $18 million of cash costs, $4 million has previously been expended and $14 million of cash expenditures are to be made in the future. The Corporation expects to fund these future cash costs from internal sources.

 

12


Table of Contents

 

Future Restructuring Actions

 

In April 2003 the Corporation’s management approved the following restructuring actions:

 

Bakery—These actions include the closure of three manufacturing plants and the severance of 330 personnel. The manufacturing plants will be utilized through early July 2003 and accounted for as held for use facilities. After the facilities are idled, they will be held for sale. The reduced useful life and residual value of these facilities will result in increased depreciation expense over the period they are utilized. Substantially all severance actions are expected to occur in late June and early July and the severance costs will be accrued over the remaining service periods of the employee group to be terminated. In addition, the Corporation’s management approved actions to abandon the use of certain trademarks obtained in connection with the Earthgrains acquisition. The reduced economic life of these trademarks will result in increased amortization expense over the remaining period of use. A significant portion of the increased amortization will be recognized in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2003. The increased depreciation and amortization related to these actions is expected to be $12.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2003 and $1.9 million in fiscal 2004. The severance and other related costs expected to be recognized are $3.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2003 and $2.2 million in 2004.

 

Beverage—The Corporation expects to cease production at a domestic manufacturing facility prior to the end of fiscal 2003. This action is expected to result in the termination of 80 individuals. The cash costs for severance and other related expenses are expected to be $1 million. In addition, the Corporation expects that a loss of $1.2 million will be recognized on the disposal of equipment and other fixed assets.

 

4. Derivative Reporting

 

The Corporation is exposed to changes in interest rates, foreign exchange rates and commodity prices. To manage the risk from these changes, the Corporation uses derivative instruments and enters into various hedging transactions. A complete description of the Corporation’s hedging programs and the instruments that are used is included in the Corporation’s Form 10-K which is filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. As of June 29, 2002, the net accumulated derivative loss recorded in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income was $14 million. During the nine months ended March 29, 2003, $9 million of accumulated net derivative losses were deferred into Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income and $22 million of accumulated net derivative losses were reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income into earnings since the related hedged item was realized during the period, resulting in a balance in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income at March 29, 2003 of an accumulated loss of $1 million. At March 29, 2003, the maximum maturity date of any cash flow hedge was approximately one year, excluding derivative hedges related to the payment of variable interest on existing financial instruments. The Corporation expects to reclassify into earnings during the next twelve months net losses from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income of approximately $9 million, at the time the underlying hedged transaction is realized.

 

During the nine months ended March 29, 2003, $1 million of losses from derivative contracts was reclassified into earnings as a result of the discontinuation of hedge accounting because it was probable that the original forecasted transaction would not occur. Other disclosures related to hedge ineffectiveness and gains and losses excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness, have been omitted due to the insignificance of these amounts. During the nine months ended March 29, 2003, a net loss of $105 million arising from effective hedges of net investments have been reflected in the cumulative translation adjustments account within stockholders’ equity.

 

13


Table of Contents

 

5. Segment Information

 

The following is a summary of sales and operating segment income by business segment for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended March 29, 2003 and March 30, 2002.

 

    

Thirteen Weeks Ended


 
    

Sales


    

Operating Segment Income


 
    

March 29,
2003


    

March 30,
2002


    

March 29,
2003


    

March 30,
2002


 
    

(In millions)

 

Sara Lee Meats

  

$

871

 

  

$

869

 

  

$

72

 

  

$

78

 

Sara Lee Bakery

  

 

767

 

  

 

774

 

  

 

11

 

  

 

29

 

Beverage

  

 

706

 

  

 

601

 

  

 

119

 

  

 

102

 

Household Products

  

 

512

 

  

 

464

 

  

 

82

 

  

 

78

 

Intimates and Underwear

  

 

1,495

 

  

 

1,495

 

  

 

185

 

  

 

167

 

    


  


  


  


Total business segments

  

 

4,351

 

  

 

4,203

 

  

 

469

 

  

 

454

 

Intersegment sales

  

 

(1

)

  

 

(3

)

  

 

—  

 

  

 

—  

 

    


  


  


  


Total sales and operating segment income

  

 

4,350

 

  

 

4,200

 

  

 

469

 

  

 

454

 

Amortization of intangibles

  

 

—  

 

  

 

—  

 

  

 

(25

)

  

 

(21

)

General corporate expenses

  

 

—  

 

  

 

—  

 

  

 

(67

)

  

 

(75

)

Net interest expense

  

 

—  

 

  

 

—  

 

  

 

(49

)

  

 

(51

)

    


  


  


  


Net sales and income before income taxes

  

$

4,350

 

  

$

4,200

 

  

$

328

 

  

$

307

 

    


  


  


  


    

Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended


 
    

Sales


    

Operating Segment Income


 
    

March 29,
2003


    

March 30,
2002


    

March 29,
2003


    

March 30,
2002


 
    

(In millions)

 

Sara Lee Meats

  

$

2,770

 

  

$

2,803

 

  

$

275

 

  

$

219

 

Sara Lee Bakery

  

 

2,451

 

  

 

2,173

 

  

 

77

 

  

 

67

 

Beverage

  

 

2,056

 

  

 

1,897

 

  

 

326

 

  

 

314

 

Household Products

  

 

1,522

 

  

 

1,428

 

  

 

246

 

  

 

233

 

Intimates and Underwear

  

 

4,864

 

  

 

4,840

 

  

 

607

 

  

 

354

 

    


  


  


  


Total business segments

  

 

13,663

 

  

 

13,141

 

  

 

1,531

 

  

 

1,187

 

Intersegment sales

  

 

(3

)

  

 

(8

)

  

 

—  

 

  

 

—  

 

    


  


  


  


Total sales and operating segment income

  

 

13,660

 

  

 

13,133

 

  

 

1,531

 

  

 

1,187

 

Amortization of intangibles

  

 

—  

 

  

 

—  

 

  

 

(74

)

  

 

(52

)

General corporate expenses

  

 

—  

 

  

 

—  

 

  

 

(184

)

  

 

(218

)

Net interest expense

  

 

—  

 

  

 

—  

 

  

 

(147

)

  

 

(162

)

    


  


  


  


Net sales and income before income taxes

  

$

13,660

 

  

$

13,133

 

  

$

1,126

 

  

$

755

 

    


  


  


  


 

 

14


Table of Contents

 

6. Issued But Not Yet Effective Accounting Standards

 

Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities—In January 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities.” Interpretation No. 46 requires that the assets, liabilities and results of the activity of variable interest entities be consolidated into the financial statements of the company that has the controlling financial interest. Interpretation No. 46 also provides the framework for determining whether a variable interest entity should be consolidated based on voting interests or significant financial support provided to it. Interpretation No. 46 became effective for the Corporation on February 1, 2003 for variable interest entities created after January 31, 2003, and will become effective on July 1, 2003 for variable interest entities created prior to February 1, 2003. The Corporation does not expect the adoption of Interpretation No. 46 to have a material impact on its fiscal 2003 or fiscal 2004 consolidated financial statements.

 

7. Reclassifications

 

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation.

 

15


Table of Contents

 

SARA LEE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations

and Financial Condition

 

Results of Operations

 

The following is a discussion of the results of operations for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2003 compared with the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2002, and a discussion of the changes in financial condition during the first nine months of fiscal 2003.

 

Consolidated Results—Third Quarter of Fiscal 2003 Compared with Third Quarter of Fiscal 2002

 

Operating results by business segment in the third quarter of fiscal 2003 compared with the third quarter of fiscal 2002 are as follows:

 

    

Thirteen Weeks Ended


 
    

Sales


      

Operating Segment Income


 
    

March 29,
2003


    

March 30,
2002


      

March 29,
2003


      

March 30,
2002


 
    

(In millions)

 

Sara Lee Meats

  

$

871

 

  

$

869

 

    

$

72

 

    

$

78

 

Sara Lee Bakery

  

 

767

 

  

 

774

 

    

 

11

 

    

 

29

 

Beverage

  

 

706

 

  

 

601

 

    

 

119

 

    

 

102

 

Household Products

  

 

512

 

  

 

464

 

    

 

82

 

    

 

78

 

Intimates and Underwear

  

 

1,495

 

  

 

1,495

 

    

 

185

 

    

 

167

 

    


  


    


    


Total business segments

  

 

4,351

 

  

 

4,203

 

    

 

469

 

    

 

454

 

Intersegment sales

  

 

(1

)

  

 

(3

)

    

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

 

    


  


    


    


Total sales and operating segment income

  

 

4,350

 

  

 

4,200

 

    

 

469

 

    

 

454

 

Amortization of intangibles

  

 

—  

 

  

 

—  

 

    

 

(25

)

    

 

(21

)

General corporate expenses

  

 

—  

 

  

 

—  

 

    

 

(67

)

    

 

(75

)

Net interest expense

  

 

—  

 

  

 

—  

 

    

 

(49

)

    

 

(51

)

    


  


    


    


Net sales and income before income taxes

  

$

4,350

 

  

$

4,200

 

    

$

328

 

    

$

307

 

    


  


    


    


 

16


Table of Contents

 

The following table summarizes net sales and operating segment income performance for the third quarter of fiscal 2003 and 2002 and certain significant items that affected the comparability of these amounts.

 

    

Thirteen Weeks Ended


 

Corporate Performance—


  

March 29,
2003


  

March 30,
2002


    

Dollar
Change


    

Percent
Change


 
    

(In millions)

 

Net sales

  

$

4,350

  

$

4,200

 

  

$

150

 

  

3.6

%

    

  


  


  

Significant items impacting net sales—Increase / (Decrease) from

                               

Changes in foreign currency exchange rates

  

$

242

  

$

—  

 

  

$

242

 

      

Acquisitions/dispositions

  

 

1

  

 

4

 

  

 

(3

)

      
    

  


  


      

Total significant items

  

$

243

  

$

4

 

  

$

239

 

      
    

  


  


      

Operating segment income

  

$

469

  

$

454

 

  

$

15

 

  

3.3

%

    

  


  


  

Significant items impacting operating segment income—Increase / (Decrease) from

                               

Changes in foreign currency exchange rates

  

$

37

  

$

—  

 

  

$

37

 

      

Exit activities and business dispositions

  

 

1

  

 

5

 

  

 

(4

)

      

Acquisitions/dispositions

  

 

—  

  

 

(5

)

  

 

5

 

      
    

  


  


      

Total significant items

  

$

38

  

$

—  

 

  

$

38

 

      
    

  


  


      

 

Significant Items—There are three significant items that affect the Corporation’s results of operations. The following is a discussion of these items.

 

Impact of Changes in Foreign Currency Exchange Rates—During fiscal 2003, approximately 40% of the Corporation’s sales and operating segment income are being generated in a number of foreign currencies. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates between the local currency in these nations and the U.S. dollar impact the Corporation’s reported sales and operating segment income. In the third quarter of fiscal 2003, changes in foreign currency exchange rates increased sales in the quarter by $242 million, or 5.8%, and increased total operating segment income in the quarter by $37 million, or 8.4%.

 

Exit Activities and Business Dispositions—The Corporation recognized certain exit activities and business dispositions which affect the comparability of the Consolidated Statements of Income and segment operating results for the third quarter of fiscal 2003 and 2002 as follows:

 

    In the third quarter of fiscal 2003, the Corporation completed certain exit activities and business dispositions that were initiated in prior quarters for amounts more favorable than originally estimated. The impact of these exit activities and business dispositions was to increase both pretax income and net income during the third quarter of fiscal 2003 by $1 million, which did not impact diluted earnings per share. The net $1 million pretax benefit during the quarter is displayed in the Consolidated Statement of Income on the line titled “(Income from) charges for exit activities and business dispositions”. The net pretax benefit from these actions was reflected in the results of the Corporation’s business segments as follows: Sara Lee Meats—a charge of $1 million; Intimates and Underwear—a credit of $2 million.

 

   

In the third quarter of fiscal 2002, the Corporation’s management completed certain exit activities and business dispositions that were initiated in prior quarters for amounts that were more favorable than previously estimated. The impact of these exit activities was to increase pretax income and net income by $5 million and $3 million, respectively. These actions did not impact reported diluted earnings per share. The net $5 million pretax benefit during the quarter is displayed on the following lines in the Consolidated Statement of Income—a $3 million benefit in “Cost of sales—product line exit costs”, and a $2 million

 

17


Table of Contents

benefit on the line titled “(Income from) charges for exit activities and business dispositions”. The net pretax benefit from these actions was reflected as a credit in the Intimates and Underwear segment.

 

    A complete description of the exit activities and business dispositions in the third quarter of fiscal 2003 and the cumulative activity from the initiation of these actions is presented in Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The impact of these actions on each segment’s performance is discussed as part of the Operating Results by Business Segment that starts on page 20.

 

    The exit activities initiated by the Corporation are intended to improve the competitive structure and operating efficiencies of the Corporation and are expected to result in savings of $211 million during fiscal 2003. It is estimated that during the third quarter of fiscal 2003, the exit activities have improved operating segment income by $34 million over the benefits recognized in the third quarter of the prior year. The exit activities generated savings of approximately $58 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2003 as compared to approximately $24 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2002.

 

Impact of Acquisitions and Dispositions—The reported net sales and operating segment income were impacted by acquisitions and dispositions of businesses that were completed subsequent to the beginning of the prior year third quarter. The impact of acquisitions, net of dispositions, in the third quarter of fiscal year 2003 decreased reported net sales by 0.1% and increased total operating segment income by 1.0%.

 

Operating Results—The following is a summary of the operating results for the third quarter of fiscal 2003 as compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2002, including a discussion of the significant items that affected the periods.

 

Net Sales—Consolidated net sales increased by $150 million, or 3.6%, over the year ago quarter. The strengthening of foreign currencies, particularly the euro, in relation to the U.S. dollar, had the effect of increasing reported sales by $242 million, or 5.8% in the quarter. The average exchange rate for the euro, which improved 14.6% versus the U.S. dollar as compared to the same period of fiscal 2002, was primarily responsible for this increase. Businesses acquired net of businesses sold subsequent to the start of the third quarter of the prior fiscal year decreased reported sales by $3 million, or 0.1%. Thus, the remaining net sales decrease of $89 million, or 2.1%, was due to sales growth in Beverage which was offset by sales declines in Sara Lee Meats, Sara Lee Bakery, Household Products and Intimates and Underwear.

 

Gross Margin Percent—In the third quarter of fiscal 2003, the gross margin percent was 40.1% as compared to 38.7% in the comparable period of the prior year. Gross margins increased in the Beverage, Household Products and Intimates and Underwear segments and declined in the Sara Lee Meats and Sara Lee Bakery segments. Benefits from the exit activities completed by the Corporation and lower commodity costs were primarily responsible for the overall improvement in the Corporation’s gross margin percentage.

 

Selling, General and Administrative (SG&A) Expenses—SG&A expenses increased 7.8% as increases in media advertising and promotion and the strengthening of foreign currencies, particularly the euro, in relation to the U.S. dollar increased the overall level of SG&A expenses over the comparable period of the prior year. When measured as a percentage of sales, SG&A expenses were 31.5% in the third quarter of fiscal 2003 and 30.3% in the comparable period of the prior fiscal year. Measured as a percent of sales, SG&A expenses increased in the Sara Lee Meats, Beverage, Household Products and Intimates and Underwear segments as media advertising and promotion activities increased to support key brands and new product introductions.

 

18


Table of Contents

 

Total Operating Segment Income—Total operating segment income is defined as pretax income before interest, intangible amortization and unallocated corporate expenses. Total operating segment income increased by $15 million from $454 million in last year’s third quarter to $469 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2003—an increase of 3.3%. Significant factors impacting the $15 million increase in total operating segment income were as follows:

 

    The strengthening of key foreign currencies, particularly the euro, increased total operating segment income by $37 million.

 

    The impact of businesses acquired net of businesses sold subsequent to the start of the third quarter of the prior fiscal year increased total operating segment income by $5 million.

 

    The Corporation recognized an additional $4 million of income from exit activities and business dispositions in the third quarter of fiscal year 2002 as compared to the third quarter of fiscal year 2003. In the third quarter of fiscal 2002, the Corporation recognized income from exit activities and business dispositions of $5 million, while in the third quarter of fiscal 2003, income of $1 million was recognized from the restructuring activities.

 

The remaining total operating segment income decrease of $23 million, or 5.3%, was due to declines in the Sara Lee Meats, Sara Lee Bakery, Beverage, and Household Products segments and increases in the Intimates and Underwear segment. This $23 million decrease reflects several offsetting factors, including:

 

    Gross profit margins improved as a result of lower commodity costs and operating efficiencies resulting from the completion of various restructuring activities. The benefits resulting from the completed restructuring actions were $34 million higher than in the comparable period of the prior year.

 

    Advertising and promotional expenses were $40 million more than in the comparable period of the prior year.

 

Interest Expense and General Corporate Expenses—Net interest expense in the third quarter decreased from $51 million in fiscal 2002 to $49 million in fiscal 2003. This decline was due to lower average interest rates and borrowing levels. General corporate expenses, which are costs not directly attributable to specific business segment operations, decreased $8 million as a result of lower corporate office expenses, reduced consulting costs and other costs associated with information technology projects. The Corporation also redeemed $250 million of 8.5% fixed-rate debt and recognized a loss of $9 million in the quarter from this transaction.

 

Taxes—The effective tax rate increased from 16.2% in last year’s third quarter to 18.1% of pretax income in the third quarter of fiscal 2003. The impact of exit activities and business dispositions had a minimal impact on the tax rate in both periods. In the third quarter of fiscal 2002, the Corporation reduced its year-to-date effective tax rate to reflect the settlement of certain tax issues in foreign jurisdictions and this was largely responsible for the lower tax rate in that period.

 

Consolidated Net Income and Diluted Earnings Per Share—Consolidated net income in the third quarter of fiscal 2003 increased by $12 million, or 4.7%, from the comparable period of the prior year. Increased operating segment income, lower corporate expenses and lower interest expense were offset in part by reduced amounts recognized from restructuring activities and an increase in the effective tax rate. Diluted earnings per share increased 6.5% from $.31 in the third quarter of fiscal 2002 to $.33 in the third quarter of fiscal 2003. The denominator in the diluted EPS computation declined primarily as a result of the Corporation purchasing outstanding common stock.

 

19


Table of Contents

 

Operating Results by Business Segment—Third Quarter of Fiscal 2003 Compared with Third Quarter of Fiscal 2002

 

The Corporation’s worldwide operations are managed based upon five business segments. The following is a description of each of the Corporation’s business segments.

 

    Sara Lee Meats produces a wide variety of packaged meats with operations in the United States, Europe and Mexico. Products include hot dogs, breakfast sausages, smoked sausages, deli and lunch meats, meat snacks and hams.

 

    Sara Lee Bakery produces fresh bread and refrigerated dough in the United States and Europe, and frozen desserts in the United States and Australia.

 

    The Beverage segment includes retail and foodservice coffee and tea sales in major markets around the world.

 

    Household Products markets household and personal care items in many countries worldwide, with an emphasis on the four core categories of body care, shoe care, air care and insecticides in Europe, North America and Asia. Products are sold to retailers and direct to the consumer.

 

    Intimates and Underwear designs, manufactures and sells branded “innerwear” products such as intimate apparel, underwear, sportswear and legwear. 95% of this segment’s revenues are generated in the United States and Europe.

 

20


Table of Contents

 

Sara Lee Meats

 

    

Thirteen Weeks Ended


 
    

March 29,
2003


    

March 30,
2002


    

Dollar
Change


    

Percent
Change


 
    

(In millions)

 

Net sales

  

$

871

 

  

$

869

 

  

$

2

 

  

0.1

%

    


  


  


  

Significant items impacting net sales—Increase / (Decrease) from

                                 

Changes in foreign currency exchange rates

  

$

33

 

  

$

—  

 

  

$

33

 

      

Acquisitions/dispositions

  

 

—  

 

  

 

3

 

  

 

(3

)

      
    


  


  


      

Total significant items

  

$

33

 

  

$

3

 

  

$

30

 

      
    


  


  


      

Operating segment income

  

$

72

 

  

$

78

 

  

$

(6

)

  

(7.2

)%

    


  


  


  

Significant items impacting operating segment income—Increase / (Decrease) from

                                 

Changes in foreign currency exchange rates

  

$

4

 

  

$

—  

 

  

$

4

 

      

Exit activities and business dispositions

  

 

(1

)

  

 

—  

 

  

 

(1

)

      

Acquisitions/dispositions

  

 

—  

 

  

 

(1

)

  

 

1

 

      
    


  


  


      

Total significant items

  

$

3

 

  

$

(1

)

  

$

4

 

      
    


  


  


      

 

Net sales in the Sara Lee Meats segment increased by $2 million, or 0.1%, to $871 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2003 from $869 million in the prior year third quarter. During the period, the strengthening of the euro, partially offset by the weakening of the Mexican peso, increased reported net sales in the quarter by $33 million, or 3.8%. Dispositions completed subsequent to the beginning of the third quarter last year reduced net sales by $3 million, or 0.4%. Unit volumes were unchanged as compared to the prior year quarter with unit volume decreases in the U.S. and Europe, offset by increases in Mexico as a later Easter holiday in the current year delayed shipments in the U.S. The remaining net sales decrease of $28 million, or 3.3%, was principally the result of increased promotional pricing and sales incentives to meet competitive pressures, and the impact on net sales from lower unit volumes in the U.S. and Europe, which were only partially offset by the sales impact of unit volume increases in Mexico.

 

The Sara Lee Meats gross margin percentage decreased from 30.3% in the third quarter of fiscal 2002 to 30.0% in the third quarter of fiscal 2003 primarily as a result of increases in sales incentives and promotional pricing, partially offset by benefits associated with supply chain centralization, exit activities and lower commodity costs.

 

Operating segment income in Sara Lee Meats decreased by $6 million, from $78 million in the prior year third quarter to $72 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2003—a decrease of 7.2%. Changes in foreign currency, particularly the euro, increased reported operating segment income by $4 million, or 5.5%. Dispositions completed subsequent to the beginning of the third quarter of last year increased operating segment income by $1 million, or 0.3%. A charge of $1 million in the third quarter of the current year for exit activities and business dispositions reduced operating segment income by 1.4%. Therefore, the remaining operating segment income decrease of $10 million, or 11.6% as compared to the comparable quarter of the prior year, is the result of lower gross margins, and increased costs associated with the new warehouse, distribution and delivery system, and media, advertising and promotion expenditures.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Sara Lee Bakery

 

    

Thirteen Weeks Ended


 
    

March 29,
2003


  

March 30,
2002


    

Dollar
Change


    

Percent
Change


 
    

(In millions)

 

Net sales

  

$

767

  

$

774

 

  

$

(7

)

  

(0.9

)%

    

  


  


  

Significant items impacting net sales—Increase / (Decrease) from

                               

Changes in foreign currency exchange rates

  

$

24

  

$

—  

 

  

$

24

 

      

Acquisitions/dispositions

  

 

1

  

 

—  

 

  

 

1

 

      
    

  


  


      

Total significant items

  

$

25

  

$

—  

 

  

$

25

 

      
    

  


  


      

Operating segment income

  

$

11

  

$

29

 

  

$

(18

)

  

(63.4

)%

    

  


  


  

Significant items impacting operating segment income—Increase / (Decrease) from

                               

Changes in foreign currency exchange rates

  

$

2

  

$

—  

 

  

$

2

 

      

Exit activities and business dispositions

  

 

—  

  

 

—  

 

  

 

—  

 

      

Acquisitions/dispositions

  

 

—  

  

 

(1

)

  

 

1

 

      
    

  


  


      

Total significant items

  

$

2

  

$

(1

)

  

$

3

 

      
    

  


  


      

 

Net sales in the Sara Lee Bakery segment decreased $7 million, or 0.9% over the comparable prior year quarter. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates increased reported net sales by $24 million, or 3.1%, and the impact of acquisitions increased net sales by $1 million, or 0.1%. Therefore, the remaining net sales decline of $32 million, or 4.1%, was primarily a result of a decline in unit volumes. Unit volumes declined 2% during the third quarter of fiscal 2003 as a result of unit volume declines in both the U.S. fresh bread category from a competitive marketplace and the U.S. frozen category from a decline in foodservice shipments, partially offset by unit volume increases in the European fresh bread operations.

 

The gross margin in the Sara Lee Bakery segment fell 2.5% from 43.2% in the third quarter of fiscal 2002 to 40.7% in the third quarter of fiscal 2003 as a result of lower unit volumes, higher costs for wages and employee benefits and higher costs for certain key ingredients.

 

Operating segment income in the Sara Lee Bakery segment declined by $18 million from $29 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2002 to $11 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2003. Changes in foreign currency, particularly the euro, increased reported operating segment income by $2 million, or 7.4%. Dispositions completed subsequent to the beginning of the third quarter of last year increased operating segment income by $1 million, or 1.8%. Therefore, the remaining operating segment income decline of $21 million, or 72.6% during the quarter, was attributable to lower gross margins, higher costs for wages and employee benefits such as health care and pensions, and spending on support for new products, partially offset by savings from the restructuring actions commenced in the second quarter of fiscal 2003.

 

22


Table of Contents

 

Beverage

 

    

Thirteen Weeks Ended


 
    

March 29,
2003


  

March 30,
2002


  

Dollar
Change


  

Percent
Change


 
    

(In millions)

 

Net sales

  

$

706

  

$

601

  

$

105

  

17.8

%

    

  

  

  

Significant items impacting net sales—Increase / (Decrease) from

                           

Changes in foreign currency exchange rates

  

$

63

  

$

—  

  

$

63

      

Acquisitions/dispositions

  

 

—  

  

 

—  

  

 

—  

      
    

  

  

      

Total significant items

  

$

63

  

$

—  

  

$

63

      
    

  

  

      

Operating segment income

  

$

119

  

$

102

  

$

17

  

15.9

%

    

  

  

  

Significant items impacting operating segment income—Increase / (Decrease) from

                           

Changes in foreign currency exchange rates

  

$

17

  

$

—  

  

$

17

      

Exit activities and business dispositions

  

 

—  

  

 

—  

  

 

—  

      

Acquisitions/dispositions

  

 

—  

  

 

—  

  

 

—  

      
    

  

  

      

Total significant items

  

$

17

  

$

—  

  

$

17

      
    

  

  

      

 

Net sales in the Beverage segment increased by $105 million, or 17.8%, to $706 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2003, reflecting the impact of changes in foreign currency and improved sales performance in Europe and Brazil. Unit volumes were unchanged in the quarter as strong shipments in Europe and improved shipments in Brazil were offset by continued declines in the U.S. market. The impact of foreign currency changes, particularly in the euro, increased reported net sales by $63 million, or 10.5%. Acquisitions and dispositions did not have a significant impact on this segment during the quarter. Therefore, the remaining net sales increase of $42 million, or 7.2% compared to the prior year quarter, was due to a favorable sales mix in Europe and improved shipments in Brazil, which were partially offset by a competitive pricing environment in the U.S.

 

The gross margin percent in the Beverage segment increased 1.2% from 44.8% in the third quarter of the prior year to 46.0% in the third quarter of fiscal 2003. Gross margins were favorably impacted by changes in foreign exchange rates and positive results in Europe that included a favorable mix of products as compared to the prior year quarter including, the continued rollout of new higher margin products. These results were partially offset by continued competitive pricing pressure in the U.S. market.

 

Operating segment income for the Beverage segment increased $17 million, or 15.9%, to $119 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2003 from $102 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2002. The strengthening of foreign currencies versus the U.S. dollar increased operating segment income by $17 million, or 16.7%. Acquisitions did not have a significant impact on the segment during the quarter. Therefore, the remaining operating segment income difference was unchanged for the quarter, or down less than 1% when measured on a percentage basis. This performance reflects improved operating results in Europe from new product introductions offset by continued weakness in the U.S. market.

 

23


Table of Contents

 

Household Products

 

    

Thirteen Weeks Ended


 
    

March 29,
2003


  

March 30,
2002


  

Dollar
Change


  

Percent
Change


 
    

(In millions)

 

Net sales

  

$

512

  

$

464

  

$

48

  

10.3

%

    

  

  

  

Significant items impacting net sales—Increase / (Decrease) from

                           

Changes in foreign currency exchange rates

  

$

52

  

$

—  

  

$

52

      

Acquisitions/dispositions

  

 

—  

  

 

—  

  

 

—  

      
    

  

  

      

Total significant items

  

$

52

  

$

—  

  

$

52

      
    

  

  

      

Operating segment income

  

$

82

  

$

78

  

$

4

  

5.3

%

    

  

  

  

Significant items impacting operating segment income—Increase / (Decrease) from

                           

Changes in foreign currency exchange rates

  

$

10

  

$

—  

  

$

10

      

Exit activities and business dispositions

  

 

—  

  

 

—  

  

 

—  

      

Acquisitions/dispositions

  

 

—  

  

 

—  

  

 

—  

      
    

  

  

      

Total significant items

  

$

10

  

$

—  

  

$

10

      
    

  

  

      

 

Net sales in the Household Products segment increased by $48 million, or 10.3%, and operating segment income increased by $4 million, or 5.3%. There were no exit activities, acquisitions or dispositions impacting the reported results. The impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates increased reported sales by 11.2% ($52 million) and operating segment income by 13.1% ($10 million), as the weakening of the currency in Mexico was offset by gains in Europe, South Africa and the United Kingdom. Gross margins in the Household Products segment increased 1.4% to 56.4% from 55.0% in the prior year comparable quarter driven by improved margins in Direct Selling operations as sales started to recover in Argentina which offset weak results in Mexico. Unit volumes for this segment’s four core categories—shoe care, body care, insecticides and air care—were unchanged from the prior year quarter, with unit volume declines in shoe care offset by increases in body care, air care and insecticides. As a result, the remaining net sales decrease was $4 million, or 0.9%, and the remaining operating segment income decrease was $6 million, or 7.8%. These declines in net sales and operating segment income are primarily from lower results from the traditional Household Products categories of shoe care and air care, partially offset by improved results in the Direct Selling businesses.

 

24


Table of Contents

 

Intimates and Underwear

 

    

Thirteen Weeks Ended


 
    

March 29,
2003


  

March 30,
2002


    

Dollar
Change


    

Percent
Change


 
    

(In millions)

 

Net sales

  

$

1,495

  

$

1,495

 

  

$

—  

 

  

—  

%

    

  


  


  

Significant items impacting net sales—Increase / (Decrease) from

                               

Changes in foreign currency exchange rates

  

$

70

  

$

—  

 

  

$

70

 

      

Acquisitions/dispositions

  

 

—  

  

 

1

 

  

 

(1

)

      
    

  


  


      

Total significant items

  

$

70

  

$

1

 

  

$

69

 

      
    

  


  


      

Operating segment income

  

$

185

  

$

167

 

  

$

18

 

  

11.3

%

    

  


  


  

Significant items impacting operating segment income—Increase / (Decrease) from

                               

Changes in foreign currency exchange rates

  

$

4

  

$

—  

 

  

$

4

 

      

Exit activities and business dispositions

  

 

2

  

 

5

 

  

 

(3

)

      

Acquisitions/dispositions

  

 

—  

  

 

(3

)

  

 

3

 

      
    

  


  


      

Total significant items

  

$

6

  

$

2

 

  

$

4

 

      
    

  


  


      

 

Net sales were unchanged from the prior year comparable quarter at $1,495 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2003. The impact of foreign currency exchange rate changes during the quarter, particularly the euro and British pound sterling, increased reported sales during the quarter by $70 million, or 4.7%. The impact of dispositions completed subsequent to the start of the prior year third quarter reduced net sales by $1 million. As a result, the remaining net sales decrease was $69 million, or 4.7%. Unit volumes in this segment, excluding acquisitions and dispositions, declined 3% during the quarter. Unit volume by segment component consists of a 10% unit volume decrease in worldwide Legwear, a 4% decrease in Knit Products and no change in Intimates. This $69 million remaining net sales decrease is primarily driven by unit volume declines in both Legwear and Knit Products.

 

The gross margin percent increased by 3.7%, from 33.8% in the third quarter of fiscal 2002 to 37.5% in the third quarter of fiscal 2003, reflecting the benefits from the Corporation’s restructuring activities, and lower raw materials costs.

 

Intimates and Underwear operating segment income increased by $18 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2003, from $167 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2002 to $185 million. The third quarter of fiscal 2002 includes a benefit from exit activities of $5 million, while the third quarter of fiscal 2003 includes a benefit of $2 million. Operating losses of $3 million from certain non-core businesses that were disposed of last year are included in the prior year quarter’s results. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates, particularly the euro, increased reported operating segment income by $4 million, or 2.8%. Therefore, the remaining operating segment income increase of $14 million, or 8.0%, was due to increased gross margins, partially offset by increased media and advertising spending to support new product introductions.

 

25


Table of Contents

 

Consolidated Results—First Nine Months of Fiscal 2003 Compared with First Nine Months of Fiscal 2002

 

Operating results by business segment in the first nine months of fiscal 2003 compared with the first nine months of fiscal 2002 are as follows:

 

    

Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended


 
    

Sales


    

Operating Segment Income


 
    

March 29,
2003


    

March 30,
2002


    

March 29,
2003


    

March 30,
2002


 
    

(In millions)

 

Sara Lee Meats

  

$

2,770

 

  

$

2,803

 

  

$

275

 

  

$

219

 

Sara Lee Bakery

  

 

2,451

 

  

 

2,173

 

  

 

77

 

  

 

67

 

Beverage

  

 

2,056

 

  

 

1,897

 

  

 

326

 

  

 

314

 

Household Products

  

 

1,522

 

  

 

1,428

 

  

 

246

 

  

 

233

 

Intimates and Underwear

  

 

4,864

 

  

 

4,840

 

  

 

607

 

  

 

354

 

    


  


  


  


Total business segments

  

 

13,663

 

  

 

13,141

 

  

 

1,531

 

  

 

1,187

 

Intersegment sales

  

 

(3

)

  

 

(8

)

  

 

—  

 

  

 

—  

 

    


  


  


  


Total sales and operating segment income

  

 

13,660

 

  

 

13,133

 

  

 

1,531

 

  

 

1,187

 

Amortization of intangibles

  

 

—  

 

  

 

—  

 

  

 

(74

)

  

 

(52

)

General corporate expenses

  

 

—  

 

  

 

—  

 

  

 

(184

)

  

 

(218

)

Net interest expense

  

 

—  

 

  

 

—  

 

  

 

(147

)

  

 

(162

)

    


  


  


  


Net sales and income before income taxes

  

$

13,660

 

  

$

13,133

 

  

$

1,126

 

  

$

755

 

    


  


  


  


 

26


Table of Contents

 

The following table summarizes net sales and operating segment income performance for the first nine months of fiscal 2003 and 2002 and certain significant items that affected the comparability of these amounts.

 

    

Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended


 

Corporate Performance—


  

March 29,
2003


  

March 30,
2002


    

Dollar
Change


  

Percent
Change


 
    

(In millions)

 

Net sales

  

$

13,660

  

$

13,133

 

  

$

527

  

4.0

%

    

  


  

  

Significant items impacting net sales—Increase / (Decrease) from

                             

Changes in foreign currency exchange rates

  

$

454

  

$

—  

 

  

$

454

      

Acquisitions/dispositions

  

 

315

  

 

23

 

  

 

292

      
    

  


  

      

Total significant items

  

$

769

  

$

23

 

  

$

746

      
    

  


  

      

Total operating segment income

  

$

1,531

  

$

1,187

 

  

$

344

  

29.0

%

    

  


  

  

Significant items impacting operating total segment income—Increase / (Decrease) from

                             

Changes in foreign currency exchange rates

  

$

76

  

$

—  

 

  

$

76

      

Exit activities and business dispositions

  

 

13

  

 

(183

)

  

 

196

      

Acquisitions/dispositions

  

 

21

  

 

(10

)

  

 

31

      
    

  


  

      

Total significant items

  

$

110

  

$

(193

)

  

$

303

      
    

  


  

      

 

Significant Items—There are three significant items that affect the Corporation’s results of operations. The following is a discussion of these items.

 

Impact of Changes in Foreign Currency Exchange Rates—In the first nine months of fiscal 2003, as compared to the first nine months of fiscal 2002, changes in foreign currency exchange rates, primarily in the euro, increased reported sales by $454 million, or 3.5%, and increased reported total operating segment income by $76 million, or 5.5%.

 

Exit Activities and Business Dispositions—The Corporation recognized certain exit activities and business dispositions which affect the comparability of the Consolidated Statements of Income and segment operating results for the first nine months of fiscal 2003 and 2002 as follows:

 

    During the first nine months of fiscal 2003, the Corporation recognized costs for exit activities in the Bakery segment and completed certain previously announced exit activities and business dispositions for amounts more favorable than originally estimated. The net impact of these exit activities and business dispositions was to increase pretax income and net income by $13 million and $12 million, respectively, or $0.01 per diluted share. In the first nine months of fiscal 2003, the Corporation’s management approved actions to reorganize certain administrative and manufacturing processes in the Sara Lee Bakery segment. The action in the Sara Lee Bakery segment resulted in a pretax and after—tax charge of $22 million and $14 million, respectively—or $0.02 per diluted share. The Corporation completed certain previously announced exit activities and business dispositions for amounts that were more favorable than originally estimated. The previously announced exit activities and business dispositions that were completed resulted in an increase in pretax income and net income of $35 million and $26 million, respectively—or $0.03 of diluted earnings per share. The net $13 million pretax benefit during the period is displayed in the Consolidated Statements of Income on the line titled “(Income from) charges for exit activities and business dispositions”. The net pretax benefit from these actions was reflected in the results of the Corporation’s business segments as follows: Sara Lee Meats—a credit of $7 million; Sara Lee Bakery—a charge of $18 million; Intimates and Underwear—a credit of $24 million.

 

27


Table of Contents

 

    In the first nine months of fiscal 2002, the Corporation’s management approved exit activities and business dispositions that resulted in a pretax charge of $183 million, a reduction in net income of $111 million, or $0.14 per diluted share. The $183 million pretax charge consists of a $177 million net charge for the cost of defined exit activities and a $6 million charge related to the net impact of certain planned business dispositions. The net pretax charge is displayed in the Consolidated Statements of Income on the following lines—a $190 million charge on the line titled “(Income from) charges for exit activities and business dispositions” and a $7 million credit reflected on the line titled “Cost of sales—product line exit costs”. The net pretax charge is recognized in the results of the operating segments as follows: Sara Lee Meats—a charge of $35 million; Sara Lee Bakery—a charge of $51 million; Beverage—a charge of $7 million; and Intimates and Underwear—a charge of $90 million.

 

    A complete description of the exit activities and business dispositions from the initiation of the program is presented in Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

    The exit activities and business dispositions are intended to improve the competitive structure and operating efficiencies of the Corporation and are expected to result in savings of $211 million during fiscal 2003. It is estimated that the benefits of the exit activities completed have improved operating segment income by $99 million over the benefits realized in the prior year nine-month period. Exit activities improved operating segment income by approximately $158 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2003, as compared to approximately $59 million of savings in the first nine months of fiscal 2002.

 

Impact of Acquisitions and Dispositions—The reported net sales and operating segment income for the first nine months of fiscal 2003 and 2002 were impacted by acquisitions and dispositions. The impact of acquisitions, net of dispositions, increased reported net sales by 2.2% and increased reported operating segment income by 2.3%. This impact is primarily the result of the acquisition of The Earthgrains Company (Earthgrains), which was acquired during the first quarter of fiscal 2002. The results of operations of Earthgrains have been included in the consolidated financial results of the Corporation since August 8, 2001. As a result, the first nine months of fiscal 2003 includes the consolidated financial results of Earthgrains for 38 more days than in the first nine months of fiscal 2002. The sales and operating segment income generated by the Earthgrains business for the first 38 days of fiscal 2003 were $284 million and $17 million, respectively.

 

Operating Results—The following is a summary of the operating results for the first nine months of fiscal 2003 as compared to the first nine months of fiscal 2002 including a discussion of the significant items that affected the periods.

 

Net Sales—Consolidated net sales increased $527 million, or 4.0%, in the first nine months of fiscal 2003 to $13,660 million. The strengthening of foreign currencies, particularly the euro, contributed $454 million, or 3.5% of this increase. Acquisitions, net of dispositions, completed subsequent to the start of the prior fiscal year, increased net sales by $292 million, or 2.2%. Thus, the remaining net sales decrease of $219 million, or 1.7%, in the first nine months of fiscal 2003, was due to sales growth in the Beverage and Household Products segments, offset by sales declines in the Sara Lee Meats, Sara Lee Bakery and Intimates and Underwear segments.

 

Gross Margin Percent—For the first nine months of fiscal 2003, the gross margin percent increased 2.1% to 39.8% as compared to 37.7% in the first nine months of fiscal 2002. Gross margin percentages declined in the Sara Lee Bakery segment and increased in the Sara Lee Meats, Beverage, Household Products and Intimates and Underwear segments.

 

28


Table of Contents

 

SG&A Expenses—SG&A expenses increased 8.4% over the comparable nine month period in the prior year primarily due to increases in media advertising and promotion activities to support new product launches and the strengthening of foreign currencies, particularly the euro, which increased the overall level of SG&A. When measured as a percentage of sales, SG&A expenses increased by 1.2%, from 29.3% of sales in the first nine months of fiscal 2002 to 30.5% in the first nine months of fiscal 2003. SG&A expenses, measured as a percent of sales, increased in the Beverage and Intimates and Underwear segment to support these segments’ new products, while SG&A expenses increased in the Sara Lee Meats segment due to increased costs associated with the centralization of certain operating and administrative functions.

 

Total Operating Segment Income—Total operating segment income increased by $344 million, or 29.0% in the first nine months of fiscal 2003 to $1,531 million. Significant factors contributing to the $344 million increase in total operating segment income were as follows:

 

    In the first nine months of fiscal 2002, the Corporation recognized a charge for exit activities and business dispositions of $183 million, while in the first nine months of fiscal 2003, income of $13 million was recognized as a result of restructuring activities. The $196 million difference between these two amounts was the most significant factor impacting the change in total operating segment income.

 

    The strengthening of key foreign currencies, particularly the euro, increased total operating segment income by $76 million.

 

    The impact of businesses acquired net of businesses sold subsequent to the start of the prior fiscal year increased total operating segment income by $31 million.

 

The remaining total operating segment income increase of $41 million, or 2.9%, was due to the total operating segment income decline in the Sara Lee Bakery, Beverage and Household Products segments and the increase in the Sara Lee Meats and Intimates and Underwear segments. This $41 million increase in total operating segment income reflects several offsetting factors, including:

 

    Gross profit margins improved as a result of lower commodity costs and operating efficiencies resulting from the completion of various restructuring activities. The benefits resulting from the completed restructuring actions were $99 million higher than in the comparable period of the prior year.

 

    Advertising and promotional expenses were $76 million more than in the comparable period of the prior year.

 

Interest Expense and General Corporate Expenses—Net interest expense declined by $15 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2003 as a combination of lower interest rates and lower average borrowings impacted the period. General corporate expenses declined by $34 million, from $218 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2002 to $184 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2003 as lower spending on corporate-wide technology projects, decreased minority interest expense and lower corporate compensation all contributed to this decrease. Intangible amortization increased from $52 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2002 to $74 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2003.

 

Taxes—The effective tax rate increased from 12.7% in last year’s first nine months to 17.9% of pretax income in the first nine months of fiscal 2003, reflecting the impact of charges for exit activities and business dispositions in the prior year tax rate. The impact of exit activities and business dispositions reduced the resulting tax rate by approximately 5.3 percentage points in fiscal 2002 and had no impact on the rate in fiscal 2003.

 

29


Table of Contents

 

Consolidated Net Income and Diluted Earnings Per Share—Consolidated net income of $925 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2003 was $266 million, or 40.3% higher than the comparable period of the prior year. $123 million of the change in net income results from the fact that in the first nine months of fiscal 2002 an after-tax charge of $111 million was recognized for exit and business disposition activities while a benefit of $12 million was recognized in fiscal 2003. The remaining $143 million increase in net income was primarily due to the strengthening of key foreign currencies versus the dollar; the impact of business acquisition and disposition activity; and incremental benefits resulting from operating efficiencies obtained through restructuring actions offset in part by higher advertising and promotional activities. Diluted earnings per share increased from $0.80 in the first nine months of fiscal 2002 to $1.13 in the first nine months of 2003, a change of 41.3%. The denominator in the Diluted EPS computation declined primarily as a result of the Corporation purchasing outstanding common stock.

 

30


Table of Contents

 

Operating Results by Business Segment—First Nine Months of Fiscal 2003 Compared with First Nine Months of Fiscal 2002

 

Sara Lee Meats

 

    

Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended


 
    

March 29,
2003


  

March 30,
2002


    

Dollar
Change


    

Percent
Change


 
    

(In millions)

 

Net sales

  

$

2,770

  

$

2,803

 

  

$

(33

)

  

(1.2

)%

    

  


  


  

Significant items impacting net sales—Increase / (Decrease) from

                               

Changes in foreign currency exchange rates

  

$

69

  

$

—  

 

  

$

69

 

      

Acquisitions/dispositions

  

 

14

  

 

5

 

  

 

9

 

      
    

  


  


      

Total significant items

  

$

83

  

$

5

 

  

$

78

 

      
    

  


  


      

Operating segment income

  

$

275

  

$

219

 

  

$

56

 

  

25.6

%

    

  


  


  

Significant items impacting operating segment income—Increase / (Decrease) from

                               

Changes in foreign currency exchange rates

  

$

9

  

$

—  

 

  

$

9

 

      

Exit activities and business dispositions

  

 

7

  

 

(35

)

  

 

42

 

      

Acquisitions/dispositions

  

 

1

  

 

(1

)

  

 

2

 

      
    

  


  


      

Total significant items

  

$

17

  

$

(36

)

  

$

53

 

      
    

  


  


      

 

Net sales in the Sara Lee Meats segment decreased by $33 million, or 1.2%, to $2,770 million from $2,803 million in the prior year nine-month period. During the first nine months of fiscal 2003, the strengthening of the euro, partially offset by the weakening in the Mexican peso, increased reported net sales by $69 million, or 2.5%. The impact of acquisitions, net of dispositions, completed subsequent to the start of the prior fiscal year, increased net sales by 0.3%. Therefore, the remaining net sales decline was $111 million, or 4.0%. Unit volumes, excluding acquisitions, for the first nine months of fiscal 2003 increased by 1% as strength in Mexico and the retail and deli channels in the U.S. offset weakness in the foodservice channel. This remaining net sales decline of $111 million was principally the result of higher levels of promotional pricing and sales incentives to meet competitive pressures resulting from lower commodity costs.

 

The Sara Lee Meats gross margin percentage increased from 29.3% in the first nine months of fiscal 2002 to 31.3% in the first nine months of fiscal 2003 primarily as a result of lower commodity costs and benefits associated with the recent supply chain centralization and exit activities, partially offset by increases in trade promotion and other promotional pricing.

 

Operating segment income in Sara Lee Meats increased by $56 million, or 25.6%, from $219 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2002 to $275 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2003. This increase was impacted by amounts recognized for exit activities in both periods. For the first nine months of fiscal 2002, the Corporation recognized $35 million of charges associated with exit activities, while in the first nine months of fiscal 2003 the Corporation recognized $7 million of benefits from the completion of exit activities. The difference between these two amounts accounted for $42 million of the $56 million of growth in operating segment income. Changes in foreign currency, particularly the euro, increased reported operating segment income by $9 million, or 3.5%. Acquisitions and dispositions completed subsequent to the beginning of the prior fiscal year increased operating segment income by $2 million, or 0.5%. Therefore, the remaining operating segment income increase of $3 million, or 1.7%, resulted from higher gross margins, which were offset in part by costs associated with a new order management and delivery system and costs associated with the centralization of certain operating and administrative functions.

 

31


Table of Contents

 

Sara Lee Bakery

 

    

Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended


 
    

March 29,
2003


    

March 30,
2002


    

Dollar
Change


  

Percent
Change


 
    

(In millions)

 

Net sales

  

$

2,451

 

  

$

2,173

 

  

$

278

  

12.8

%

    


  


  

  

Significant items impacting net sales—Increase / (Decrease) from

                               

Changes in foreign currency exchange rates

  

$

46

 

  

$

—  

 

  

$

46

      

Acquisitions/dispositions

  

 

284

 

  

 

—  

 

  

 

284

      
    


  


  

      

Total significant items

  

$

330

 

  

$

—  

 

  

$

330

      
    


  


  

      

Operating segment income

  

$

77

 

  

$

67

 

  

$

10

  

13.9

%

    


  


  

  

Significant items impacting operating segment income—Increase / (Decrease) from

                               

Changes in foreign currency exchange rates

  

$

4

 

  

$

—  

 

  

$

4

      

Exit activities and business dispositions

  

 

(18

)

  

 

(51

)

  

 

33

      

Acquisitions/dispositions

  

 

17

 

  

 

(1

)

  

 

18

      
    


  


  

      

Total significant items

  

$

3

 

  

$

(52

)

  

$

55

      
    


  


  

      

 

Net sales in the Sara Lee Bakery segment increased in the first nine months of fiscal 2003 by $278 million, or 12.8% over the comparable prior year period as the current year period includes an additional 38 days of operating results from the Earthgrains business. The Earthgrains business was acquired in the first quarter of fiscal 2002. The 38 days of operating results from the Earthgrains business in the first quarter of fiscal 2003 increased reported net sales by $284 million, or 13.1%. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates, particularly the euro, increased reported net sales by $46 million, or 2.1%. Unit volumes in the Sara Lee Bakery segment, excluding acquisitions, declined 2%, as a result of unit volume declines in the U.S. fresh bread category from a competitive marketplace that were partially offset by unit volume gains in the refrigerated dough categories. Therefore, the remaining net sales decline of $52 million, or 2.4%, was primarily a result of the decline in unit volumes.

 

The gross margin percentage in the Sara Lee Bakery segment fell 1.5% from 43.1% in the first nine months of fiscal 2002 to 41.6% in the first nine months of fiscal 2003 as lower unit volumes, higher costs for wages and employee benefits, higher costs for certain key ingredients and an unfavorable product mix contributed to this decline.

 

Operating segment income in the Sara Lee Bakery segment improved by $10 million, or 13.9%, from $67 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2002 to $77 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2003. This increase was impacted by the Corporation’s charges for exit activities that are included in each period. In the first nine months of fiscal 2002 and 2003, the Bakery group recorded charges for exit activities of $51 million and $18 million, respectively, which accounted for $33 million, or 33.9%, of the increase in operating segment income. An additional 38 days of operating segment income from the Earthgrains business is reflected in the first nine months of fiscal 2003 which contributed $18 million toward fiscal 2003 operating segment income, or 14.9% of the operating segment income increase. The impact of changes in foreign currencies during the period increased reported operating segment income by $4 million, or 3.7%. Therefore, the remaining operating segment income decline of $45 million, or 38.6% during the nine-month comparable period, was attributable to lower gross margins, higher costs for both wages and employee benefits such as health care and pensions, and costs to support new products.

 

32


Table of Contents

 

Beverage

 

    

Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended


 
    

March 29,
2003


  

March 30,
2002


    

Dollar
Change


  

Percent
Change


 
    

(In millions)

 

Net sales

  

$

2,056

  

$

1,897

 

  

$

159

  

8.4

%

    

  


  

  

Significant items impacting net sales—Increase / (Decrease) from

                             

Changes in foreign currency exchange rates

  

$

127

  

$

—  

 

  

$

127

      

Acquisitions/dispositions

  

 

17

  

 

—  

 

  

 

17

      
    

  


  

      

Total significant items

  

$

144

  

$

—  

 

  

$

144

      
    

  


  

      

Operating segment income

  

$

326

  

$

314

 

  

$

12

  

3.8

%

    

  


  

  

Significant items impacting operating segment income—Increase / (Decrease) from

                             

Changes in foreign currency exchange rates

  

$

34

  

$

—  

 

  

$

34

      

Exit activities and business dispositions

  

 

—  

  

 

(7

)

  

 

7

      

Acquisitions/dispositions

  

 

3

  

 

—  

 

  

 

3

      
    

  


  

      

Total significant items

  

$

37

  

$

(7

)

  

$

44

      
    

  


  

      

 

Net sales in the Beverage segment increased by $159 million, or 8.4%, to $2,056 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2003, reflecting the impact of changes in foreign currency and the results of recent acquisitions. Unit volumes for roasted coffee and coffee concentrates declined 2% in the first nine months of fiscal 2003 due to competitive pressures in the U.S. retail and out-of-home markets and the impact of lower volumes in Brazil from a price increase instituted earlier in the year. The impact of foreign currency changes, particularly in the euro but partially offset in Brazil, increased reported net sales by $127 million, or 6.7% in the first nine months of fiscal 2003 as compared to the prior year period. Net sales of businesses acquired subsequent to the start of the prior fiscal year increased net sales by $17 million, or 0.9%. Thus, the remaining net sales increase of $15 million, or 0.8% compared to the prior year nine-month period, was primarily attributable to continued improvement in European retail and out-of-home markets, and the impact of the price increase in Brazil, partially offset by the continued weakness in the U.S. market.

 

The gross margin percentage in the Beverage segment increased 1.3% from 44.2% in the first nine months of fiscal 2002 to 45.5% in the first nine months of fiscal 2003, as the gross margin was favorably impacted by an improved product mix in Europe toward higher margin products plus the favorable impact from the change in foreign currency exchange rates.

 

Operating segment income for the Beverage segment increased $12 million, or 3.8%, to $326 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2003 from $314 million in the prior year comparable period. In the prior year nine-month period, the Beverage segment recognized a $7 million benefit for exit activities, while no exit activities were recorded in the current year. The strengthening of foreign currencies versus the U.S. dollar increased operating segment income by $34 million, or 10.6%, and the impact of acquisitions completed subsequent to the start of fiscal 2002 improved operating segment income by $3 million, or 1.0%. Therefore, the remaining operating segment income decline of $32 million, or 10.4% during the first nine months of fiscal 2003, was due to higher media advertising and promotion expenditures that were directed toward new product introductions and a competitive retail marketplace in the U.S.

 

33


Table of Contents

 

Household Products

 

<
    

Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended


 
    

March 29,
2003


  

March 30,
2002


  

Dollar
Change


  

Percent
Change


 
    

(In millions)

 

Net sales

  

$

1,522

  

$

1,428

  

$

94

  

6.6

%

    

  

  

  

Significant items impacting net sales—Increase / (Decrease) from

                           

Changes in foreign currency exchange rates

  

$

76

  

$

—  

  

$

76

      

Acquisitions/dispositions

  

 

—  

  

 

—  

  

 

—  

      
    

  

  

      

Total significant items

  

$

76

  

$

—  

  

$

76